Pore formation in a substrate

ABSTRACT

Methods are provided for manufacturing well-controlled, solid-state nanopores and arrays thereof. In one aspect, methods for manufacturing nanopores and arrays thereof exploit a physical seam. One or more etch pits are formed in a topside of a substrate and one or more trenches, which align with the one or more etch pits, are formed in a backside of the substrate. An opening is formed between the one or more etch pits and the one or more trenches. A dielectric material is then formed over the substrate to fill the opening. Contacts are then disposed on the topside and the backside of the substrate and a voltage is applied from the topside to the backside, or vice versa, through the dielectric material to form a nanopore. In another aspect, the nanopore is formed at or near the center of the opening at a seam, which is formed in the dielectric material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/561,962, filed on Sep. 22, 2017, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

Aspects disclosed herein relate to methods of manufacturingwell-controlled, solid-state nanopores and arrays of well-controlled,solid-state nanopores in a substrate.

Description of the Related Art

Nanopores are widely used for applications such as deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing. In one example, nanoporesequencing is performed using an electrical detection method, whichgenerally includes transporting an unknown sample through the nanopore,which is immersed in a conducting fluid, and applying electric potentialacross the nanopore. Electric current resulting from the conduction ofions through the nanopore is measured. The magnitude of the electriccurrent density across a nanopore surface depends on the nanoporedimensions and the composition of the sample, such as DNA or RNA, whichis occupying the nanopore at the time. Different nucleotides causecharacteristic changes in electric current density across nanoporesurfaces. These electric current changes are measured and used tosequence the DNA or RNA sample.

Various methods have been used for biological sequencing. Sequencing bysynthesis, or second generation sequencing, is used to identify whichbases have attached to a single strand of DNA. Third generationsequencing, which generally includes threading an entire DNA strandthrough a single pore, is used to directly read the DNA. Some sequencingmethods require the DNA or RNA sample to be cut up and then reassembled.Additionally, some sequencing methods use biological membranes andbiological pores, which have shelf lives and must be kept cold prior touse.

Solid-state nanopores, which are nanometer-sized pores formed on afree-standing membrane such as silicon nitride or silicon oxide, haverecently been used for sequencing. Current solid-state nanoporefabrication methods, such as using a tunneling electron microscope,focused ion beam, or electron beam, however, cannot easily and cheaplyachieve the size and position control requirements necessary formanufacturing arrays of nanopores. Additionally, current nanoporefabrication methods are time consuming.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved methods ofmanufacturing a well-controlled, solid-state nanopore and arrays ofwell-controlled, solid-state nanopores.

SUMMARY

Methods are provided for manufacturing well-controlled, solid-statenanopores and arrays of well-controlled, solid-state nanopores. In oneaspect, methods for manufacturing nanopores and arrays of nanoporesexploit a physical seam. One or more etch pits are formed in a topsideof a substrate and one or more trenches, which align with the one ormore etch pits, are formed in a backside of the substrate. An opening isformed between the one or more etch pits and the one or more trenches. Adielectric material is then formed over the substrate, for example, byoxidation or atomic layer deposition, to fill the opening. Contacts arethen formed or placed on the topside and the backside of the substrateand a voltage is applied from the topside to the backside of thesubstrate, or vice versa, through the dielectric material to form ananopore. In another aspect, the nanopore is formed at or near thecenter of the opening at a seam, which is formed in the dielectricmaterial.

In one aspect, a method for forming a nanopore is provided. The methodgenerally includes providing a substrate having at least one feature ona topside and at least one feature on a backside aligned with the atleast one feature on the topside and at least one opening between the atleast one feature on the topside and the at least one feature on thebackside, forming a dielectric material over the substrate to fill theat least one opening, the dielectric material having at least one seamformed therein, and exploiting the at least one seam to form at leastone nanopore.

In another aspect, a method for forming a nanopore is provided. Themethod generally includes forming an etch pit on a topside of asubstrate, forming a trench on a backside of the substrate, the trenchbeing aligned with the etch pit, forming an opening between the etch pitand the trench, the opening connecting the etch pit and the trench,forming a dielectric material over the substrate to fill the opening,the dielectric material having a seam formed therein, and exploiting theseam to form a nanopore.

In yet another aspect, a substrate is disclosed. The substrate generallyincludes a plurality of topside features on a topside of the substrate,a plurality of backside features on a backside of the substrate, each ofthe plurality of features on the topside being aligned to each of theplurality of features on the backside, a plurality of openingsconnecting each of the plurality of topside features to each of theplurality of backside features, and a dielectric material formed overthe substrate, the dielectric material in each of the topside featureshaving a nanopore at or near a center of each of the plurality ofopenings.

In yet another aspect, a method for forming a nanopore is provided. Themethod generally includes forming a trench on a backside of thesubstrate, forming an etch pit on a topside of the substrate, the etchpit being formed over an etch-stop layer, the etch-stop layer forming abarrier between the trench and the etch pit, forming a dielectricmaterial from the barrier, disposing one or more contacts on the topsideand the backside of the substrate, and applying a voltage from thetopside contact to the backside contact, or vice versa, through thedielectric material to form a nanopore.

In yet another aspect, a method for forming a nanopore is provided. Themethod generally includes providing a substrate having at least onefeature on a topside and at least one feature on a backside aligned withthe at least one feature on the topside and at least one opening betweenthe at least one feature on the topside and the at least one feature onthe backside, forming a dielectric material over the substrate to fillthe at least one opening, and applying a voltage from the topside to thebackside through the dielectric material to form at least one nanopore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toaspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It isto be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlyexemplary aspects and are therefore not to be considered limiting of itsscope, and may admit to other equally effective aspects.

FIG. 1 is a process flow of a method for forming one or more nanoporesaccording to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2O depict cross-sectional views of a substrate in which one ormore nanopores are formed at various stages of a process flow disclosedherein.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict cross-sectional views of a substrate in which one ormore nanopores are formed at various stages of another process flowdisclosed herein.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one aspectmay be beneficially incorporated in other aspects without furtherrecitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods are provided for manufacturing well-controlled, solid-statenanopores and arrays of well-controlled, solid-state nanopores. In oneaspect, methods for manufacturing nanopores and arrays of nanoporesexploit a physical seam. One or more etch pits are formed in a topsideof a substrate and one or more trenches, which align with the one ormore etch pits, are formed in a backside of the substrate. An opening isformed between the one or more etch pits and the one or more trenches. Adielectric material is then formed over the substrate, for example, byoxidation or atomic layer deposition, to fill the opening. Contacts arethen formed or placed on the topside and the backside of the substrateand a voltage is applied from the topside to the backside of thesubstrate, or vice versa, through the dielectric material to form ananopore. In another aspect, the nanopore is formed at or near thecenter of the opening at a seam, which is formed in the dielectricmaterial.

Methods disclosed herein refer to formation of solid-state nanopores ona semiconductor substrate as an example. It is also contemplated thatthe disclosed methods are useful to form other pore-like structures onvarious materials, including solid-state and biological materials.Methods disclosed herein also refer to formation of frustum-shaped etchpits and trenches as an example; however, other etched features and anycombinations thereof are also contemplated. For illustrative purposes, asilicon on insulator (SOI) substrate with a silicon oxide dielectriclayer is described; however, any suitable substrate materials anddielectric materials are also contemplated. Additionally, methodsdisclosed herein refer to a topside and a backside of the substrate. Thetopside and backside generally refer to opposite sides of the substrateand do not necessarily require an upward or downward orientation. Assuch, it is contemplated that methods described herein are also usefulfor forming a nanopore through a vertical membrane by exploiting a seamthereon. Additionally, while the methods disclosed herein generallyrefer to exploiting a seam, it is also contemplated that the disclosedmethods are useful for exploiting a gap to form a nanopore.

FIG. 1 is a process flow of a method 100 for forming one or morenanopores according to the present disclosure.

Prior to method 100, a substrate is provided. The substrate is generallyany suitable semiconductor substrate, such as a doped or undoped silicon(Si) substrate. The method 100 begins at operation 110 by forming one ormore etch pits in a topside of a substrate. At operation 120, one ormore trenches are formed in a backside of the substrate, which alignwith the one or more etch pits in the topside of the substrate. Atoperation 130, an opening is formed between each of the one or more etchpits and the one or more trenches. At operation 140, a dielectricmaterial is formed over the substrate to fill the opening and form aseam at or near the center of the opening. The seam is generally formedat the intersection of the dielectric material formed on each of thesidewalls. At operation 150, the seam is exploited to form a nanopore byapplying a voltage from the topside to the backside of the substrate, orvice versa, to open the seam and form the well-controlled nanopore.

In one aspect, operation 140 and operation 150 are part of stand-aloneprocesses that are performed on an already-processed substrate having anopening therein.

Operation 120, operation 130, and operation 140 are generally performedin any suitable order. In one aspect, forming one or more trenches inthe backside of the substrate at operation 120 occurs prior to formingone or more etch pits in the topside of the substrate at operation 110,and depositing the dielectric material at operation 140 is generallyperformed at any suitable stage of the method 100.

In one aspect, the substrate is oxidized to fill the opening and a seamis formed at or near the center of the opening in each of the one ormore etch pits. In another aspect, a dielectric material is depositedover the substrate and a seam is formed at or near the center of theopening in each of the one or more etch pits. The dielectric material isgenerally deposited by any suitable deposition methods, including butnot limited to, atomic layer deposition (ALD), physical vapor deposition(PVD), or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Additionally, while someexamples include formation of a seam in the deposited dielectricmaterial, it is also contemplated that the dielectric material does nothave a seam and that applying a voltage across the dielectric materialat voltage sufficient to cause dielectric breakdown will form a nanoporewithin the dielectric material.

In another aspect, the method 100 further includes forming an etch stoplayer at the bottom of the one or more etch pits in the topside of thesubstrate, for example, before oxidizing the substrate or depositing thedielectric material.

FIGS. 2A-2O depict cross-sectional views of a substrate 200 in which oneor more nanopores are formed according to a method disclosed herein,such as at various stages of the method 100. While FIGS. 2A-2O are shownin a particular sequence, it is also contemplated that the variousstages of method 100 depicted in FIGS. 2A-2O are performed in anysuitable order.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a topside hard mask 210 is disposed over a topsideof the substrate 200, a topside bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC)layer 212 is disposed over the topside hard mask 210, and a topsidephotoresist 214 is disposed over the topside BARC layer 212. A topsidepatterning process is then performed to form one or more trenches 216 inthe topside hard mask 210 and the topside BARC layer 212. Generally, thetopside patterning process includes patterning the topside photoresist214, as shown in FIG. 2B, and then etching, for example by reactive ionetching (RIE), the unmasked topside hard mask 210 and topside BARC layer212, as shown in FIG. 2C. The topside photoresist 214 is optionallyremoved. A topside etch process, such as a KOH etch or other suitableetch process, is then performed to form one or more frustum-shaped etchpits 218 in the substrate 200, as shown in FIG. 2D. Other suitable etchprocesses include, but are not limited to, anisotropic etch processes.

The substrate 200 is then flipped for backside processing. As shown inFIG. 2E, a backside hard mask 220 is deposited over a backside of thesubstrate 200, a backside BARC layer 222 is deposited over the backsidehard mask 220, and a backside photoresist 224 is deposited over thebackside BARC layer 222. A backside patterning process is then performedto form one or more backside trenches 226 in the backside hard mask 220and the backside BARC layer 222. Generally, the backside patterningprocess includes patterning the backside photoresist 224, as shown inFIG. 2F, and then etching the unmasked backside hard mask 220, backsideBARC layer 222, and a portion of the substrate 200 to form the one orbackside trenches 226, as shown in FIG. 2G. The spin coated backsidephotoresist 224 is optionally removed.

In the aspect of FIGS. 2A-2O, the substrate 200 is an SOI substratehaving a buried oxide layer 202 therein with a 150 nanometer (nm) Sidevice layer 230 on the topside thereof as an example; however, anysuitable substrate or SOI substrate is also contemplated. The topsidehard mask 210 is a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD)nitride, and the topside photoresist 214 is a spin coated photoresist.The one or more frustum-shaped etch pits 218 are generally any suitablesize based on the size of the substrate. For example, in an aspect inwhich an SOI substrate having 150 nm Si device layer on a topsidethereof is used, the one or more frustum-shaped etch pits 218 are 212nanometer (nm) by 212 nm square openings spaced at 5 millimeter (mm)pitch. A KOH etch generally etches Si at an angle of about 54.7 degrees.Accordingly, when the topside KOH etch is performed on the SOI substrate200 for a predetermined period of time, the one or more frustum-shapedetch pits 218 generally terminate with a tip of the frustum-shaped etchpit 218 on and in contact with the buried oxide layer 202. Thepredetermined period of time is generally determined to reduce oreliminate lateral etch relative to the mask opening. In general, the<100> plane 229 of the Si, shown in FIG. 2I, will etch at a rate thatcorresponds to the temperature of the solution and the concentration ofKOH in H₂O. For most scenarios, KOH will etch the <100> plane of Si at arate of between about 0.4 nm/s and about 20 nm/s. The rate can beaccelerated or retarded by cooling or heating the solution.

Patterning the backside photoresist 224 includes forming a pattern ofopenings of any suitable size and shape, which are aligned with the oneor more frustum-shaped etch pits 218. For example, in an aspect in whichan SOI substrate having 150 nm Si device layer on a topside thereof isused, as discussed above, the backside photoresist 224 is patterned with100 micrometer (μm) by 100 μm square openings at 5 mm pitch, which arealigned with the one or more frustum-shaped etch pits 218 on the topsideof the substrate 200. In one aspect, a deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) isthen used to form the one or more backside trenches 226. The one or morebackside trenches 226 are etched down to the backside surface of theburied oxide layer 202 such that the bottom of each of the one or morebackside trenches 226 corresponds to the top of the buried oxide layer202, as shown in FIG. 2G. A local removal process, such as ahydrofluoric acid (HF) dip, is then used to remove the buried oxidelayer 202 in the one or more backside trenches 226 such that a bottom ofeach of the one or more backside trenches 226 is on and in contact withthe device layer 230 and an opening 228 is formed at the tip of the oneor more frustum-shaped etch pits 218, as shown in FIG. 2I, which is anenlarged and inverted portion of FIG. 2H. In further aspects, wet etchprocesses are used to form the one or more backside trenches 226.

Generally, the size of the opening 228 is controlled by controlling thechemistry, temperature, concentration gradients, and byproduct removalgradients during the etch processes. In one aspect, the opening isbetween about 5 nm by 5 nm and about 10 nm by 10 nm. The size of theopening is generally measured using a scanning electron microscope (SEM)or a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

A dielectric material 232 is then formed over the substrate 200 to fillthe opening 228, as shown in FIG. 2J. The thickness of the dielectricmaterial 232 is generally between about 0.5 nm to about 10 nm, forexample between about 1 nm and about 5 nm, such as about 1 nm. In oneaspect, the silicon device layer of the SOI substrate 200 is oxidized,for example by exposing the substrate to oxygen or water (H₂O) to formthe dielectric material 232. In another aspect, the dielectric material232 is deposited by ALD. In another aspect, the dielectric material 232is formed by depositing a metal or semiconductor layer, for example, byALD, CVD, or PVD, and then oxidizing the metal or semiconductor layer toform a dielectric material. As shown in FIG. 2K, which is an enlargedportion of FIG. 2J, a seam 234 is formed in the dielectric material 232at or near the center of the opening 228, where the dielectric material232 formed on the sidewalls 236 a, 236 b of the frustum-shaped etch pits218 comes together. When oxidation of the silicon device layer is used,for example, the opening 228 is closed by the volume expansion when thesilicon (Si) is converted to silicon dioxide (SiO₂). The seam 234 is aweak point in the dielectric material 232.

The seam 234 is then exploited to form a well-controlled nanopore 236.Generally, exploiting the seam 234 includes applying a voltage from atop contact over the dielectric material 232 on a topside of thesubstrate 200 to a bottom contact over the dielectric material 232 onthe backside of the substrate 200, or vice versa, through the seam 234.The applied voltage induces dielectric breakdown of the oxide at theseam 234, forming a well-controlled, localized and robust nanopore atthe location of the seam 234, which is generally at or near the centerof the opening 228. The applied voltage generally removes at least aportion of the dielectric material 232 to form the nanopore, forexample, by degrading a portion of the dielectric material 232. Theapplied voltage generally includes typical voltages above the breakdownvoltage of the dielectric material. For example, the breakdown voltageof SiO₂ is generally between about 2 megavolts (MV)/cm and about 6MV/cm, or between about 200-600 millivolts (mV)/nm of material. In oneaspect, the applied voltage is slightly below the breakdown voltage ofthe dielectric material and the current is applied for longer to slowlybreak down the membrane. In another aspect, the applied voltage is abovethe breakdown voltage of the dielectric material such that a nanopore isblasted therethrough.

In one aspect, the top contact 248 is disposed in a first electrolyte onthe topside of the substrate 200 and the bottom contact 250 is disposedin a second electrolyte on the backside of the substrate 200, as shownin FIG. 2L. In one example, the top contact 252 and/or the bottomcontact 254 is a conductive tungsten (W) layer, as shown in FIG. 2M. Infurther aspects, the top and bottom contacts are any suitable conductivematerial, such one or more metals or combinations thereof.

Once the voltage has been conducted through the seam 234, a nanopore 240is formed at or near the center of the opening 228, as shown in FIG. 2N.Because the nanopore 240 has been formed according to methods disclosedherein, the size and position of the nanopore 240 are well controlled. Awell-controlled size of the nanopore 240 is generally a diametersuitable for sequencing a sample of a certain size. In one aspect, thesize of the nanopore 240 is about 100 nm or less. In one aspect, thesize of the nanopore 240 is between about 0.5 nm and about 5 nm, forexample between about 1 nm and about 3 nm, such as 2 nm. In anotheraspect, the size of the nanopore 240 is between about 1.5 nm and about1.8 nm, such as about 1.6 nm, which is roughly the size of a singlestrand of DNA. In another aspect, the size of the nanopore 240 isbetween about 2 nm and about 3 nm, such as about 2.8 nm, which isroughly the size of double-stranded DNA. A well-controlled position ofthe nanopore 240 is generally any position on the substrate which issuitable for configuration of one or more nanopores. In one aspect, thesubstrate 200 includes an array of nanopores 240, as shown in FIG. 2O.Methods disclosed herein are generally used to control the position ofeach of the one or more nanopores 240 such that a nanopore array ofdesired configuration for sequencing or other processes is formed.

In one aspect using a tungsten layer, the tungsten is generallypatterned to be addressable to each nanopore such that an array ofnanopores for sequencing is formed. In another aspect, the voltage isapplied sequentially to each feature to form an array of nanopores forsequencing.

As disclosed above, the stages depicted in FIGS. 2A-2O are generallyperformed in any suitable order. In one aspect, the one or more etchpits 218 are formed and then a thin layer of dielectric material 232 isconformally deposited over the one or more etch pits 218. Then, the oneor more backside trenches 226 are formed and the buried oxide layer 202is preferentially removed such that a free-standing dielectric layerremains. A voltage is then applied across the dielectric material 232 toform one or more nanopores 240, as disclosed above.

In this aspect, a thickness of the conformal dielectric material 232 isbetween about 0.5 nm and about 10 nm, for example between about 0.5 nmand about 5 nm, for example between about 1 nm and about 2 nm, such asabout 1 nm. The dielectric material 232 is generally any suitabledielectric material with an etch rate that is low relative to SiO₂.Examples of suitable dielectric materials include, but are not limitedto, Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, TiO₂, and SiN. The etch rate of the dielectric material232 compared to the etch rate of SiO₂ is generally greater than about10:1, for example about 100:1, for example about 1,000:1, for exampleabout 10,000:1. A seam may or may not be formed at the center of theopening 228 at the bottom of the etch pit 218. However, voltage maystill be applied across the dielectric material 232 such that a nanopore240 is formed at a weak point in the dielectric material 232.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict cross-sectional views of a substrate 300 in which oneor more nanopores are formed according to a process flow disclosedherein, such as at various stages of the method 100. The stages depictedin FIGS. 3A-3B are alternative stages of nanopore formation in thesubstrate, which may be substituted into the various stages depicted inFIGS. 2A-2O and disclosed above.

In the aspect depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, an etch-stop layer 350 isdisposed at the bottom of the one or more etch pits 218, as shown inFIG. 3A. The etch-stop layer 350 causes the KOH etch to stop at thebottom of the etch pit 218 at a well-controlled thickness. An opening228 still exists at the bottom of the etch pit 218 at the thin, exposedetch-stop layer 350. The substrate 300 is then oxidized to form awell-controlled oxide layer, such as a layer of dielectric material 232,for example by rapid thermal processing (RTP) oxidation, to close theopening 228, as shown in FIG. 3B. A voltage is then applied across thedielectric material 232, causing dielectric breakdown within the area ofthe opening 228 at the base of the etch pit 218 such that a nanopore 240is formed within the opening 228, as shown in FIG. 3C. According to thisaspect, a seam may or may not be formed in the dielectric material 232;however, dielectric breakdown at a weak point in the dielectric material232 at the base of the etch pit 218 will still form the nanopore 240.

The etch-stop layer 350 is deposited by any suitable method at anysuitable stage of the process flows disclosed herein. In one aspect, theetch-stop layer 350 is formed by implanting or diffusing dopants intothe silicon device layer and in contact with the buried oxide layer 202of the 301 substrate during SOI substrate manufacturing. In anotheraspect, the etch-stop layer 350 is formed after the one or more backsidetrenches 226 are formed in the backside of the substrate 300 and priorto the formation of the one or more etch pits 218 in the substrate 300.The thickness of the etch-stop layer is any suitable thickness, such as,less than or equal to 10 nm, for example less than or equal to 2 nm, forexample less than or equal to 1 nm. The etch-stop layer 350 generallyincludes any suitable dopant, including but not limited to, boron (B).

The thickness of the oxidation is any suitable thickness, such asbetween about 0.5 nm and about 10 nm, for example between about 1 nm andabout 5 nm, for example about 1 nm.

Benefits of the present disclosure include the ability to quickly formwell-controlled nanopores and nanopore arrays, which are generallyindividually addressable. Disclosed methods generally provide nanoporesthat are well-controlled in size and in position through a thin filmmembrane. Methods of manufacturing nanopores of well-controlled sizeprovide improved signal-to-noise ratios because the size of the nanoporeis similar to the size of the sample, such as a single strand of DNA,being transmitted through the nanopore, which increases the change inelectric current passing through the nanopore. Additionally, methods ofmanufacturing nanopores having well-controlled positions enables asample, such as DNA, to freely pass through the nanopore. Additionally,the thinness of the membrane, for example, about 1 mm, provides forimproved reading of the DNA sequence.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure,other and further aspects of the disclosure may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming a nanopore comprising:providing a substrate having at least one feature on a topside and atleast one feature on a backside aligned with the at least one feature onthe topside, and at least one opening between the at least one featureon the topside and the at least one feature on the backside; forming adielectric material over the substrate to fill the at least one opening,the dielectric material having at least one seam or gap formed therein;and exploiting the at least one seam or gap to form at least onenanopore.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the dielectricmaterial over the substrate to fill the at least one opening comprises:oxidizing the substrate.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein forming thedielectric material over the substrate to fill the at least one openingcomprises: depositing the dielectric material over the substrate byatomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition, or chemical vapordeposition.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein exploiting the at leastone seam or gap to form at least one nanopore comprises: disposing a topcontact over the topside of the substrate; disposing a bottom contactover the backside of the substrate; and applying a voltage from the topcontact to the bottom contact across the at least one seam or gap. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein a first electrolyte is disposed over thetopside of the substrate and a second electrolyte is disposed over thebackside of the substrate.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the topcontact is disposed in the first electrolyte and the bottom contact isdisposed in the second electrolyte.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe at least one seam or gap is formed between a first portion of theformed dielectric material and a second portion of the formed dielectricmaterial.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanopore is formed at ornear a center of the at least one opening.
 9. A method for forming ananopore comprising: forming an etch pit on a topside of a substrate;forming a trench on a backside of the substrate, the trench beingaligned with the etch pit; forming an opening between the etch pit andthe trench, the opening connecting the etch pit and the trench; forminga dielectric material over the substrate to fill the opening, thedielectric material having a seam or gap formed therein; and exploitingthe seam or gap to form a nanopore.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinforming a dielectric material over the substrate to fill the openingcomprises: oxidizing the substrate.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinforming the dielectric material over the substrate to fill the openingcomprises: depositing the dielectric material over the substrate byatomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition, or chemical vapordeposition.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein exploiting the seam orgap to form the nanopore comprises: disposing a top contact over thetopside of the substrate; disposing a bottom contact over the backsideof the substrate; and applying a voltage from the top contact to thebottom contact across the seam or gap.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein a first electrolyte is disposed over the topside of thesubstrate and a second electrolyte is disposed over the backside of thesubstrate.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the top contact isdisposed in the first electrolyte and the bottom contact is disposed inthe second electrolyte.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the seam orgap is formed between a first portion of the formed dielectric materialand a second portion of the formed dielectric material.
 16. The methodof claim 9, wherein the seam or gap is formed at or near a center of theat least one opening.